Juan Mata sends former Chelsea team-mates ‘a hug’ as he reflects on Manchester United’s ‘complicated’ season

Juan Mata’s Manchester United suffered another disappointing defeat to Sunderland at the weekend (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Juan Mata clearly still feels a strong connection with Chelsea after commiserating with his former team-mates by ‘sending them a hug’ in his most recent blog.

The Blues were knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid in midweek and then saw their Premier League title hopes hit the buffers in a 0-0 draw at home to lowly Norwich.

And reflecting on both United’s and his ex-club’s tribulations, Mata, who arrived at Old Trafford from Stamford Bridge in January, wrote: ‘After two consecutive seasons winning trophies in Europe, this time I will watch from home both the Champions and the Europa League finals and it makes me feel kind of envious. I also want to send a hug to my friends and former team-mates from Chelsea, for they have had a tough week.’

In an extensive piece, Mata also talked of his ‘complicated’ season at United, which has seen manager David Moyes sacked and United floundering in seventh position in the league and all hope of silverware gone.

The Spanish playmaker wrote: ‘[After Hull on Tuesday] we will have to play one more game to finish the Premiership, the next weekend at Southampton.

‘Then it will be time to analyse what has been a complicated season for the club, although I’m sure the future will bring again titles and happiness to our fans, because that is what they deserve.

‘To be honest, as I said in the last entry to this blog, from a personal point of view I feel this season will be too short for me. I’m feeling good and I do want to keep scoring and assisting as I was able to do in April. There are just two games remaining but I will try to make the most of them.’